Annual clary (painted sage) Salvia viridis
Annual clary (painted sage) (Salvia viridis) is an annual flowering plant in the Lamiaceae family, native to Mediterranean region to Iran. It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 20–30 cm (8–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
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Annual clary (painted sage) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | about 11–14 weeks after planting, for 7–11 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 110 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mediterranean region to Iran |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇫🇷 France |
Is Annual clary (painted sage) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Annual clary (painted sage)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Annual clary (painted sage)
- How far apart should I plant Annual clary (painted sage)?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 20–30 cm (8–12 in).
- Does Annual clary (painted sage) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Annual clary (painted sage) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Annual clary (painted sage)?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Annual clary (painted sage) flower?
- About 11–14 weeks after planting, for 7–11 weeks.
- Is Annual clary (painted sage) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous.
- What grows well with Annual clary (painted sage)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Annual clary (painted sage). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- A hardy annual: sow where it is to flower in autumn or early spring, thin the seedlings, and let some plants set seed.
- A cutting-patch flower: picking the stems often keeps new ones coming.
- The real flowers are small; the show comes from the pink, purple or white veined bracts at the top of each stem, which hold their colour when dried.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Basil Ocimum basilicum
- Rosemary Salvia rosmarinus
- Thyme Thymus vulgaris
- Mint Mentha spicata
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Common sage Salvia officinalis
- Oregano Origanum vulgare